Costa Ricans elected ruling party candidate Laura Fernandez in a first round landslide as her promise of a draconian crackdown on criminals appealed to voters in a nation roiled by soaring drug violence.
With 81% of ballots tallied, Fernandez had received 49% of the vote, enough to avoid a runoff and trouncing 19 other candidates. Her nearest rival, Alvaro Ramos, conceded after winning only 33% of the vote.
She¡¯ll be sworn in for her 4-year term on May 8. Her party was also on track to have a dominant position in the 57-member unicameral congress.
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